Former Scab Makes Good

Former Buccaneer Jim Zorn (why does it amuse me to say that?) was named the head coach of the Redskins after he was already brought on as the offensive coordinator. Usually Dan Snyder, Redskins owner and aspiring OT VIII, likes to make a big noise when hiring a head coach. In 2002 when he hired Steve Spurrier, that noise was a lot like a loud fart at a small wedding ceremony: inappropriate but still kind of funny. In 2004, the noise was more like the car horns aimed at an elderly driver on a one-lane road: impatient and desperate for him to either speed up or die. This year, Zorn's hire echoes the noise that Snyder enjoys the most: Snyder's own voice.

Both Spurrier and Gibbs had a certain amount of clout that they converted into authority over personnel decisions, regardless of what Vinny Cerrato's title was. Zorn has none of that. He has a last name that begins with Z which is almost always cool because it means you usually get a couple extra days before you have to read your book report to the class, and that's it. He has never been a coordinator of a team that mattered and his only real accomplishment is Matt Hasselbeck. Snyder knows he can work Zorn behind the scenes and not get any heat for meddling. If Zorn somehow turns the Redskins into a winner, Snyder is brilliant for hiring him. If Zorn falls on his ass, he leaves the door wide open for the man he really wants, Bill Cowher.

As always, Paul at Bucpower.com rocks my socks for having photos like this available.